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We are pleased to report that yesterday the U.S. Senate adopted the Cantwell-Ensign amendment as part of the Housing Stimulus bill by a vote of 88-8. Shortly after, the Senate passed H.R. 3221, The Housing Stimulus Act of 2008, by a vote of 84-12.

The Senate Cantwell-Ensign amendment (#4419) enjoyed overwhelming bipartisan support and its adoption sent a clear signal that legislators hope to pass the renewable energy tax credit extensions soon. Besides a one-year extension of the production tax credit for wind and others, the solar industry gains several benefits: 8-year extension of commercial ITC, repeal of utility exemption, and removal of AMT exemption; 1-year extension of residential ITC, complete lifting of the $2,000 cap for residential PV projects, and removal of AMT exemption. It included all elements of the Cantwell-Ensign proposed bill, S. 2821.
 

Yesterday the House Ways and Means Committee reported out its version of a housing stimulus package. SEIA staff is already in contact with staff and leaders in the House and Senate on next steps.

There is still much work to be done and SEIA staff is pivoting to focus on the House in an effort to garner the same level of support we saw from the Senate. The Hill press has reported that Senator Ensign has reached out to White House staff for early engagement and support in finding a path to pass an extension to the renewable energy tax credits. Both CNN Money and E&E News recognized the challenges faced in resolving elements of House and Senate bills, particularly how to address House-proposed pay-for’s over the next few weeks.

Our industry also attracted overwhelming support from more than 250 wide-ranging groups, companies and political leaders from across the nation. Our grasstops coalition work over the last several months resulted in several support letters being sent as well as personal calls placed to Hill leaders. Notable signers on the letters were 3M, Best Buy, Bosch, Conergy, Dow Chemical Co., Duke Energy, Edison Electric Institute, GE Energy, Home Depot, John Deere, JP Morgan Chase, National Association of Home Builders, National Venture Capital Assn., Sierra Club, Target, Trane, the United Steelworkers and Whirlpool. Separate letters were sent by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, and Western Governors Association. This represents a huge outpouring of support for good policy that 85 percent of the American public supports.

Congratulations to everyone for getting past this important hurdle that has plagued us for 10 months. And, again, thanks for all your support. Your calls, letters, and personal visits to congressional members and your contributions to SEIA’s PAC have all made a huge difference in our ability to effectively elevate the solar industry message.